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Does Carbon Make Steel Magnetic?

Published in Steel Magnetism 1 min read

Yes, carbon steel is generally somewhat magnetic.

Why is Carbon Steel Magnetic?

Carbon steel's magnetic properties stem from its main component: iron. Here's a breakdown:

  • Iron's Ferromagnetism: Iron is a ferromagnetic material, which means it can be strongly magnetized.
  • Carbon's Role: The addition of carbon to iron to create carbon steel does not eliminate iron's ferromagnetic properties. According to the reference, adding carbon "will not affect the ferromagnetic properties of iron, but will make it more magnetic." (06-May-2023)

Therefore, carbon steel retains the magnetic characteristics of iron. The specific degree of magnetism can vary based on the carbon content and other factors.

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